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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to think that Mumsnet is being hacked / invaded by t****s and t***s?

156 replies

MrsGerardButler · 02/08/2011 21:34

It's more than a school holidays thing. It seems like a malicious attempt to hook people into a drama / DV / EA situation. It often seems to start with a dramatic first (ever) post and before you know it, it is 100 posts long and the OP is nowhere to be seen.

One of the things I love about MN is how supportive and ready to help people are when someone is in need, but I feel that perhaps we need to take a more cynical and questioning approach before offering our time and energy to support some brand new posters who take without giving back.

My hardhat is on and I have a Wine in hand.

OP posts:
MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:17

@ShirleyKnot

yy BOF the response I got had a tone of "you shouldn't have reported this person as they're clearly struggling" and so I just thought..Fine. I won't bother then.

Shock at this, Shirley. That's certainly not the sort of reply anyone should have got from us. We'd never want to discourage anyone from reporting any concern about anything.

BitOfFun · 03/08/2011 13:19

It's all between the lines, ILT- little phrases like "Thankyou for contacting us again about this poster" etc. Grin

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:20

@BeerTricksPotter

Do MNHQ ever reply and tell you that yes, you have indeed found a Troll and they have been banned? I reported but didn't hear back after initial 'thank you' so I don't know if the Troll has gone forever or is just on holiday.

No, we don't tend to say anyone is definitely a troll/has been banned. For the simple reason that, very, very occasionally, we make a mistake and ban people who shouldn't have been banned - and, in cases like that, we'd hate for them to have been officially branded as a troll.

SuePurblybilt · 03/08/2011 13:21

The last two times I emailed MN, I didn't hear anything back at all. I just assumed you were busy and hated me. Grin

BeerTricksPotter · 03/08/2011 13:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:23

@SuePurblybilt

The last two times I emailed MN, I didn't hear anything back at all. I just assumed you were busy and hated me. Grin

OMG. Blush

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:26

OK, Sue, the last record we have of a mail from you is on July 1st. We replied - and you replied to our reply!

Do you think you've mailed us since then?

MmeLindor. · 03/08/2011 13:27
MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:28

@ILoveTIFFANY

I have only had 'standard' replies when reporting. Would love a 'weary' one!

Noted! Grin

MmeLindor. · 03/08/2011 13:28

I do wish that MNHQ could reply with

"Thank you for your message. We have thoroughly investigated the poster and found them to be a hairy handed trucker. They have been asked to kindly FUCK OFF and should not bother us again".

SuePurblybilt · 03/08/2011 13:32

Helen, I have no idea what I did last week, was that July? Grin
No, MN emailed me about a suggestion I made regarding the local boards. I replied and emailed again, on top of that email, asking a question. It was to a MN person's email, from my Outlook, not via the site. And it really wasn't earth-shatteringly important! Nothing to do with spotting trolls, I am too thick for that.
Maybe it's a problem my end and you hate me

ShirleyKnot · 03/08/2011 13:34

haha! Helen! Grin

The reply didn't actually SAY that - it just had that feel to it.

BitOfFun · 03/08/2011 13:36

I have just emailed you Helen- you can give me your best eyeroll Grin

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 03/08/2011 13:36

@SuePurblybilt

Helen, I have no idea what I did last week, was that July? Grin No, MN emailed me about a suggestion I made regarding the local boards. I replied and emailed again, on top of that email, asking a question. It was to a MN person's email, from my Outlook, not via the site. And it really wasn't earth-shatteringly important! Nothing to do with spotting trolls, I am too thick for that. Maybe it's a problem my end and you hate me

Aha! OK, will nudge said person for you.

khaliwali · 03/08/2011 13:37

A forum is a public domain. I don't think it can be invaded unless there is something exclusive about it. All of you people who feel that you have some stake in it could just ignore the threads you don't like. There are moderators to police the site, I am sure they can cope.

BitOfFun · 03/08/2011 13:39

Thanks for that warm and considered contribution, khaliwali. Have you thought about applying for work sending out snotty emails at all- Helen has a few vacancies, I believe Wink

GypsyMoth · 03/08/2011 13:40

No, we don't have moderators!!

SuePurblybilt · 03/08/2011 13:41

I am slowly coming round to this 'hide poster' idea........

MmeLindor. · 03/08/2011 13:42

at BOF.

Trolls are trolls. They stir things up and make everyone suspicious of each other. They are damaging to the website. And bloody difficult to police, I expect.

khaliwali · 03/08/2011 13:47

I don't mean to sound sniffy but you do sound a bit over involved. it's only a bloody website. That is not to say that you have given me loads of help and support over the years but I don't feel like I own the damn thing. All I am saying is that some people are so weary that anytime someone says something they don't agree with they scream troll. I can't imagine caring that much about it that's all. I am sorry if you want to snort at me, likewise, thanks for the mature response.

BitOfFun · 03/08/2011 13:49

Do you mind pointing out the bits which seem over-involved to you, khalwali? Because I don't really understand.

MmeLindor. · 03/08/2011 13:51

I was actually snorting at BOF, not at you.

I don't see that it is being overly involved to contact MNHQ and point them in the direction of a poster who may be trolling. There are times when I have done a quick search of the posters history (which takes about a minute) before I do this just to make sure that I don't embarrass myself by pointing a finger at someone who is a regular poster.

notinmypocket · 03/08/2011 13:56

Troll hunt
Witch hunt
Slippery slope

I'd feel quite uncomfortable reporting a poster regardless of posting history if there is the slightest possibility of them being genuine.
But I am sure you seasoned troll hunters give a poster the benefit of the doubt.

allhailtheaubergine · 03/08/2011 13:58

I always get lovely replies when I report people to MNHQ.

khaliwali · 03/08/2011 13:59

I refer to Iggly's post earlier. I also wonder how anything (within reason) on AIBU can be objected to. I agree that trolling in other areas and forums can be absolutely vile and is intended to target vulnerable people but sometimes people get "ooo my troll alarm is going" reply to a question about jam sandwiches for a 3 year old.
I guess if you have suffered something terrible and then see a troll trying to use something such as miscarriage to have a laugh you may feel different, I do get that. But in the day to day stuff, if a new person naively opens their heart, they should be given a chance.
I think that MN should be a members only forum, no public viewing and no posting. That way the regulars feel involved and the trolls will struggle to enter.